Arrowhead Report: Palko Hears From Brees and Warner

Before Tyler Palko signed with the Chiefs as a free agent in January of 2010, he’d been part of five different teams that spanned across three different professional football leagues.

All of this occurred within a three-year period from 2007-09.

Over the course of those three years, Palko spent a portion of two seasons with QB Drew Brees in New Orleans. Palko served as the third quarterback to Brees for four games in 2007 and was also a member of the practice squad. He spent the 2008 offseason with the Saints as well.

Undrafted and eager, Palko naturally absorbed everything he could from the All-Pro quarterback.

“Drew Brees is like a big brother to me,” Palko said. “I spent two years down there in New Orleans with him and we developed a good relationship.”

When news broke earlier this week that Palko would make his first professional start, Brees sought out Palko to wish his good luck. Palko received well wishes from former Cardinals teammate Kurt Warner as well.

“They sent me a text when they heard the news and just wished me good luck,” Palko said. “I’ve been around a lot of good quarterbacks in my journey and learned a lot from all of them. Hopefully that will show up on Monday night.”

Warner is definitely a player who can appreciate Palko’s path to becoming a starting quarterback.

Brady/Belichick Dish On Chiefs Personnel

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady dialed in for conference calls with the Kansas City media this week and provided plenty of insight on Chiefs GM Scott Pioli and QB Matt Cassel.

Here are some of the highlights from those calls.

BELICHICK ON SCOTT PIOLI

Q: Can you describe what your relationship was like with Scott Pioli when he was there?

“Great. It was great. We won a lot of games. Scott handled the personnel and I handled the coaching and we worked together on different decisions within the organization as it related to personnel, drafting and so-forth, but we had a very good relationship on and off the field. We spent time together and our families had a good relationship. We worked hard together, but we also enjoyed some other things away from football together.”

Q: Even going back to New York or Cleveland, what did you notice that Scott did well? What did he have a knack for?

“Scott works hard. He’s very meticulous and detailed. He’s definitely a person that dots his i’s and crosses his t’s - very well-prepared and thorough. You know that when he gives an opinion that he’s thought through it and if he hasn’t, he’ll tell you that and say that he needs a little more time. But when he’s done it, he’s covered the bases and it’s not just some whim of an idea. It’s something that he has thought out, looked at from several different angles and then come back with whatever the opinion or recommendation was.

“He gets along well with people. Particularly as a head coach and in personnel, you have to work with a lot of different people. There are a lot of different personalities, as you know. You have quarterback-types, offensive linemen-types, receivers, defensive players, specialists – there are different needs and personality traits between all of those groups and players come from everywhere geographically, socially, economically, religiously, culturally – football brings in a big mix of people and I think Scott does a good job of relating to all of the different groups and getting along with them, but most importantly relating to them and being able to understand what their needs are or what’s unique about them.”

Q: How have you seen Scott take what he’s learned from New England and use it to make the Chiefs his own, so to speak?

“I think that’s a question that you really have to ask Scott. I’m not there, so I really can’t tell you what he took from here. I really don’t know the answer to that question, but I can tell you that looking at the last time we played the Kansas City Chiefs – which was in 2008 on opening day – and where that team is now relative to where it was back then, I think that they are a much, much better football team.”

Belichick also went on to say that Tamba Hali was “one of the best pass rushers in the league” and that Derrick Johnson was “one of the best inside linebackers that we’ve seen all year.”

BRADY ON SCOTT PIOLI

Q: How well did you get to know Scott during those years and what struck you as memorable?

“I know Scott very well. He was always involved in meetings. He was always on the field. We had a lot of conversations over the years. When you have the success that we had together, there are always a lot of special memories that you have. He’s a great person, a great friend. With Matt (Cassel) going there as well, I follow the Chiefs every week. I’m always rooting for them.”

BRADY ON MATT CASSEL

Q: Have you talked to Matt since he’s been injured?

“I have. I talked with Matt on Monday just to see how he was doing and to give him some words of encouragement.”

Q: How was his mood given the circumstances?

“You know, we’re pretty good friends so it was a little football, but I just wanted to call him and see how he was doing. Injuries suck. No one ever wants to go through injuries. It’s a part of the game and you deal with them. You rehab and hopefully he’s back very soon.”

Q: You’ve had a lot of quarterbacks back you up through the years. Why is Matt really the only one to go on and have his own success?

“He’s one of my favorite teammates and friends and an all-around great person that I’ve had a chance to be around. Matt’s got a ton of talent. He can throw the ball just as well as anybody in the NFL. He’s big. He’s strong. He moves around well and has great pocket presence. He makes good decision and is a great leader with a great work ethic and is very mentally tough. He’s everything you are looking for, so it was sad to see him go, but it’s great that he got the opportunity to lead a football team like he did here. When I got hurt he did a hell of a job stepping in here. He’s really continued that and I’ve always been very impressed by the way Matt has taken advantage of his opportunities.”

Injury Report

With QB Matt Cassel already ruled out for Monday night’s game, the next biggest health question for the Chiefs is the status of DE Glenn Dorsey.

Dorsey left Sunday’s game against the Broncos with a knee injury and had to be carted into the locker room once he made his way to the sideline. He was wearing a large brace on his knee following Sunday’s loss.

Coach Todd Haley was optimistic regarding Dorsey’s chances to play earlier in the week, labeling him ’day-to-day.’ Dorsey wore his helmet and was in full practice attire for Thursday’s practice, but only participated in a limited capacity.

CBs Brandon Carr and Brandon Flowers were both limited as well. Carr missed a portion of the first half last weekend after injuring his ankle while defending a deep pass.

Also, reserve LB Demorrio Williams returned to practice Thursday afternoon after missing last week in its entirety because of a groin injury. Williams was inactive against the Broncos, but was taken off the Chiefs injury report Thursday.